GENERAL INFORMATION

USAID DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING) AND DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANT’S BANK ACCOUNTS. 

1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72061524R10053
2. ISSUANCE DATE: July 24, 2024
3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 07, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID Kenya and East Africa Human Resources, e-mail at [email protected]
5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator)
6. MARKET VALUE: 7,821,724.00 to Ksh. 13,296,947.00 KSH per year, equivalent to FSN-12 grade level in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan of USAID/Kenya and East Africa. The salary range provided is inclusive of all allowances and annual bonus. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate. Final compensation will be negotiated within the listed market value.
7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Five (5) years estimated to start o/a January 20, 2025. The services provided under this contract are expected to be of a continuing nature that will be executed by USAID through a series of sequential contracts, subject to the availability of funds, the continued need for services and successful performance.
8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: Nairobi, Kenya; with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties.
9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: Open to qualified Cooperating Country National (CCN) (an individual who is a cooperating country citizen or a non-cooperating country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country). Employees presently on probation are ineligible to apply.
10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: Security certification issued by the US Embassy RSO.
11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

General Statement of Purpose of the Contract  

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) is a senior member of the USAID Kenya and East Africa (KEA) Environment Office (ENV). This position is USAID/KEA's point of contact for the Mission's climate change strategy, actions and programming. Primary responsibilities include coordinating the climate change effort for the Mission and the region that will include cross-sector, cross-Mission, cross-Agency, and cross-stakeholder efforts in climate finance, climate policy and negotiations, sustainable landscapes, climate adaptation, climate services, climate impacts mitigation, preparedness, agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) and clean energy. The Specialist will lead the climate finance mobilization effort for USAID/Kenya and East Africa, managing a program that finds innovative ways for East African countries to raise funds and provide sustainable climate finance for its people and the ecosystems they live in. This position will promote capacity building and coordinate with East African institutions to overcome the barriers to finance by developing partnerships and synergies between local, international and national sources of finance.

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) is the climate technical lead for the USAID/KEA Mission and a climate finance expert for USAID Missions in East Africa. This position provides leadership, vision and professional guidance on climate change measures affecting the region. This position leads the Climate Change Team within the Environment Office providing supervision and guidance to the Climate Change and Biodiversity PMS, leads the climate change working group for the Mission and represents USAID at the interagency. This position manages technical programs as an AOR/COR and takes lead in policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders such as colleagues from foreign governments, multilateral development banks, donors, regional organizations and private sector organizations.

Statement of Duties to be Performed.

Coordination, Representation and Relationship Building - 50% 

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) will restart and deepen USAID's government collaboration on climate change in the region. The Specialist will proactively develop, manage and strengthen USAID/KEAs network of climate and green finance contacts at all levels of seniority and in all sectors, to identify capacity building and policy influencing opportunities. The Specialist will publicly represent USAID/KEA as a credible interlocutor in climate related engagements as necessary which may include, but not limited to national climate funds, partnerships with private sector, civil society and local authorities, or international climate finance institutions such as the Green Climate Fund, Development Finance Corporation, Adaptation Fund etc. The PMS will be a relationship manager to one or more private sector firms that address carbon finance and/or other market-based mechanisms. The Specialist will have significant private sector relationships and must be able to make the 'business case' for addressing climate change.

The Specialist will lead the Mission's climate working group, provide expert advice to Mission teams such as the Mission Private Sector integrated team and County Liaison Teams. The PMS could also represent the Mission on a CLT and coordinate with the Mission's Resilience Team. The Specialist serves as one of ENVs Private Sector Engagement leads. The Specialist leads team members and Mission integrated teams to create and expand public-private sector partnerships to achieve and sustain greater developmental impacts on climate and resilience programming across local, sub-national, national and regional levels.

Technical Advisory and Project Management - 20%

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) is a regional Mission thought leader on integrating climate change across all sectors, including into program descriptions, communications, monitoring, evaluation and learning opportunities. The Specialist will provide technical advice to USAIDs East African Missions, interagency and Washington technical leadership by identifying and analyzing developments and risks around climate collaboration. The Specialist will provide expert policy and technical guidance for project development and implementation for climate change and "net zero" development activities. The Specialist will analyze technical information and trends to provide succinct, technically sound advice to USAID senior staff and partners to deliver on technical programs for climate change and climate finance. The PMS will prepare relevant technical reports and documents for the US government on trends, issues, challenges and progress on climate change and when required other environmental sustainability issues. The PMS will lead and manage research, analysis and synthesis activities that promote climate and environmental resilience. The PMS may serve as an Agreement Officer's Representative/ Contracting Officer's Representative (AOR/COR) or Activity Manager for grants and agreements involved in climate change or resilience. Responsibilities are outlined in the AOR/COR designation letter- template located in the Automated Directive System (ADS) 300 Series (specifically ADS 302 & 303).

Climate Finance Mobilization - 20%

The PMS will engage with stakeholders from multilateral development banks, donors, private sector organizations and others to mobilize finance, build coalitions, and drive capital to our local partners for climate action, sustainable development, and conservation. The PMS will foster domestic, regional, cross-border and multi-country cooperation between East African countries on climate change-related issues. The Specialist will be the technical expert on innovative climate finance approaches and lead internal and external discussions on advancing these approaches. The PMS will create opportunities to co-finance projects and leverage new and additional funding sources to achieve USAID/KEA's climate finance targets. The Specialist will have the independence to bring forth innovative ideas from a multitude of sectors and climate finance stakeholders such as national and multilateral climate funds and think tanks.

Supervision - 10%

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) leads the USAID/KEA Mission Climate team and provides direct supervision to one Project Management Specialist (Climate Change and Biodiversity).

 

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the United States, or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Prior Work Experience 

At least seven (7) years of progressive experience in the field of climate change or related environment sectors. Specialized knowledge and demonstrable expertise in climate program implementation and management at International Development, Embassies, Donor Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, Finance Institutions and/or the private sector. Must have program management experience in at least one of the following technical climate change areas: climate finance, climate policy and negotiations, sustainable landscapes, climate adaptation, climate services, climate impacts mitigation, preparedness, agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) and/or clean energy.

Supervisory Relationship

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) is supervised by the Environment Deputy Office Director – Technical Programs.

Supervisory Controls

The Project Management Specialist (Climate Change Coordinator) supervises the Project Management Specialist (Climate) and a PMA.

Physical Demands

The work requested does not involve undue physical demands.

EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS
The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The CO reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. 

Job Knowledge (60 Points)

Knowledge on national, regional and global climate finance schemes and climate governance frameworks is needed. Knowledge and experience in policy dialogue and cross-institutional collaboration is necessary. Must understand climate and green finance issues, challenges and practices relating to Africa. Broad understanding of critical issues in sustainable development and biodiversity conservation is required. Must have advanced knowledge of at least one of the following technical climate change areas: climate finance, climate policy and negotiations, sustainable landscapes, climate adaptation, climate services, climate impacts mitigation, preparedness, agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) and/or clean energy.

Skills and abilities (40 Points)

Due to frequent interaction with external stakeholders in high stakes environments, the jobholder must be able to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions and communicate effectively to ensure positive working relationships are maintained, in addition, sound judgement and the ability to effectively and diplomatically collaborate with a variety of customers. The PMS must be able to effectively represent the US Government during meetings, negotiations, conferences and other functions. Must have the ability to develop partnerships, make deals and advance USAIDs climate objectives. Must be able to develop and maintain an extensive range of contacts across the USG Agencies, USAID East Africa Missions, in the regional and bilateral governments, civil society, academia, development partners, local community and the private sector. The coordinator must be able to write syntheses and explain results in a fashion that is readily understandable to non-technical audiences. Skills in computer applications, teamwork (complex institutional and multi-cultural settings), policy analyses and institutional relations. Proven ability to work effectively with high level personnel from government, donor community, implementing partners, local partners and the private sector.

Total possible points: 100

SUBMITTING AN OFFER
Step 1: Register in MyJobsInKenya at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 2: Complete the job application at www.myjobsinkenya.com

Step 3: Internal Offerors/Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages), a copy of your most recent Performance Evaluation Report, and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

OR

External Offerors/Not Current USG Employees: Attach an updated curriculum vitae/resume (no more than five pages) and copies of all relevant certificates. Scan and attach all the documents and upload them to MyJobsInKenya.

Note to Applicants:
1.Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted through myjobsinkenya.com.
2.Submissions will only be accepted through www.myjobsinkenya.com. Late and incomplete applications (those that do not contain the applicant’s most current and up to date detailed CV and relevant education certificates) will not be considered for the position.
3.All Applicants must provide at least three professional references, who are not family members or relatives, with working telephone and e-mail contacts. The references must be able to provide substantive information about your past performance and abilities. USAID reserves the right to contact your previous employers for relevant information concerning your performance and may consider such information in its evaluation of the application.

LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD
The CO will provide instructions about how to complete and submit any required forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award.

BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
Benefits and allowances are offered in accordance with the Local Compensation Plan (LCP).

TAXES
CCNPSCs are required to pay PAYE and statutory deductions. All applicable taxes will be deducted from the stated gross market rate.

USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs
USAID regulations and policies governing CCN PSC awards are available at these sources:

1.USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, “Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad,” including contract clause “General Provisions,” available at https://www.usaid.gov/ads/policy/300/aidar

2.Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1 available at https://www.usaid.gov/forms. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award.

LINE ITEMS
ITEM NO (A) - 0001
SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) - Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs)
- Award Type: Cost
- Product Service Code: [ R497]
- Accounting Info: [insert one or more citation(s) from Phoenix/GLAAS]
QUANTITY (C) - 1
UNIT (D) - LOT
UNIT PRICE (E) - $ TBD
AMOUNT (F) - $_TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor_

3. Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals available at http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/aapds-cibs.

4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the “Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch,” available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. See https://www.oge.gov/web/oge.nsf/resources_standards-of-conduct.

5. PSC Ombudsman: The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit our page for additional information:
https://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/personal-service-contracts-ombudsman.

The PSC Ombudsman may be contacted via: [email protected].

6. FAR Provisions Incorporated by Reference
52.204-27 - PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION - JUN 2023